Timely newsletters to help you stay current on the markets, tax rules, retirement planning and the wider economy.
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The Ag Economy: Tough Times for Farmers in 2019
Net farm income is forecast to grow almost 4.8% to $88 billion in 2019, but this broad measure of profits includes financial support from the federal government. Direct government payments (excluding crop…
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Life Insurance Strategies: Three Reasons Empty Nesters May Want Permanent Coverage
Parents with young children might worry about whether they have enough life insurance to take care of their family’s financial needs if they should pass away. But as their children grow into…
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Coping with a Labor Shortage
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is an anecdotal economic report based on conversations with business contacts around the nation. In April 2019, companies in most of the Fed’s 12 districts noted a shortage…
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Five Money Issues to Talk About Before the Wedding
If you are engaged to be married, or expect to be soon, it’s important to consider how this change in the relationship (and legal status) will affect your finances. Discussing the following…
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Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income
Most mutual funds are open ended, which means the investment company can issue and redeem fund shares to meet investor demand. By contrast, closed-end funds issue a fixed number of shares in…
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Consider REITs for Income and Diversification
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) can offer a consistent income stream and help provide portfolio diversification. Considering these potential benefits, it may not be surprising that an estimated 80 million Americans own…
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Sticker Shock May Drive Consumers to Used Cars
The average transaction price of a new car or light truck was $36,733 in March 2019, up 2.3% from a year earlier.1 New 2020 models will hit showrooms in August and September,…
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Protection to Help Your Family
A recent survey found that 35% of U.S. households would face financial adversity within one month if a primary wage earner died. This risky situation reflects a widespread lack of protection. More…
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Could a Health Savings Account Help Strengthen Your Retirement Plan?
By one estimate, a 65-year-old couple who retire in 2019 may need about $300,000 in savings to pay their health-care expenses in retirement. This includes premiums for Medicare Parts B and D,…
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Index Update: Shifting Sectors Reflect Social Changes
In September 2018, S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI expanded and renamed the Telecommunication Services sector : now called Communication Services : to include some companies from the Consumer Discretionary and Information…
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Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs)
Most people can only guess how long their retirement savings might need to last. Those who withdraw too much or live longer than expected could eventually run out of money; others may…
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What Medicare Won’t Cover
Original Medicare : Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance : offers broad coverage at a relatively low cost, but there are many potentially expensive health-care services that are not…
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Season of Uncertainty
April 9, 2015MARKETCommentary There are many seasons that capture our attention. Those of us suffering from the harsh winter cheered the arrival of spring in late March. For sports fans, baseball season…
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What Is Whole Life Insurance?
Most people are familiar with whole life insurance. For many years, whole life policies were the predominant type of life insurance sold in America.
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Do You Know Who Your Beneficiaries Are?
Valuable assets will convey directly to beneficiaries, regardless of instructions in a will. Transcript
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What About Financial Aid for College?
Financial aid for college consists of loans, grants, scholarships, and work study. Grants and scholarships are worth searching for because they don't have to be paid back, unlike student loans, which require…
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Time to Get Tax-Savvy: Managing Your Tax Burden
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What Is the Gift Tax?
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living. The federal estate tax, on the other hand, applies to property conveyed to others (with the…